Coming this Fall Motion Capture Studio to Open

Opening for the fall semester, students, faculty, and staff members can take ideas from the real world into the virtual world with the UTA Libraries' newest resource, the motion capture studio. The technology inside the studio gives people the tools to create projects ranging from movies to video games.  

Callum Knitowski, a Creative Specialist for The Studios, stated the data that this system provides to designers is extremely valuable. Anyone unfamiliar with the system could use it with some instruction from library staff members. He shared that while the studio's space is small, 10-by-10 feet, it is used to its full potential.  

"There are eight cameras in the room's ceiling, and they all point down,” Callum said. “There is a computer that processes it, and it is all connected through an ethernet switch.” 

Callum stated one of the eight camera feeds shows a circle on the screen. The person being recorded steps into that circle to record their motion on the computer. Once inside the circle, the operator hits the search option in the program, and then it starts tracking the user. 

The system used in the studio does not require a person to wear a specialized suit as other systems do. A person can wear their regular clothes as they are recording. This technology captures the physical movement of a person creating a skeleton with animation data that can be applied to a character model.  

Motion Capture technology is not just limited to movie making, animation, or video games but is used by several groups. These groups include the military, the medical field, and sports organizations. 

"With the studios, we want to enable students to create their creative visions. Part of that is not just photography and video, but also with animation," Callum said. "With motion tracking, it is far easier to produce actual animation data to be used in animated content. The other big use is in partnership with 'The Basement' for game design and development, which needs that animation data." 

Callum shared that the motion capture system in place at the library is one of the only systems approved for medical use.  

"You can use it to analyze the way people walk, for example, to see if there is something wrong with their knees," he said. "It is fascinating." 

The motion capture studio is anticipated to open this fall. Training is underway for the library's student employees, who will assist people with their projects.